"Every time we walk through the door, it's like we never left," Elizabeth Trump-Grau, the president's sister, said. She served as honorary chairwoman for the ball. Her husband Jim, who couldn’t make it to the event, was honorary chairman.

The gala is the organization's main fundraiser and drew more than 250 guests who were hoping to catch a glimpse of the first lady, but according to Terry W. Bomar, the organization's president. Melania Trump left the club before the event to meet her husband in Washington.

Wildlife photographer Laura Crawford Williams signed copies of Wildlife in Wild Lands, a collection of photos 10 years in the making focused on conservation and artist Michael Israel displayed his artwork throughout the room, including two large portraits of the first couple.